2. Content of the Presentation WHY - What are the benefits of Transnational Projects? HOW- LAG taking a proactive approach -Using the existing mechanisms -Transnational Co-operation Agreement -The role of the Support Unit.

3. Benefits for Your LAG Strategic and long-term, by using transnational work to help your LAG and its key stakeholders achieve their own aims and objectives by: - –Raising the profile of your own organisation, –Gaining access to new ideas and developing your own ideas. –Finding new business partners, political allies, or technical collaborators; –Increasing your own organisations understanding of relevant policy developments, and that of the other key partners. –Open up possibilities for future co-operation; –Acquiring new skills and competences, especially in the delivery of services.

4. Irish LAG visit Portugal for a transnational project development meeting

5. Benefits for Individuals Individual Board Members, staff, community representatives etc..can gain from: - –Accessing new information and experiences, including developing a wider, European perspective and enabling them to learn about other countries; –Developing information, contacts and access to market networks; –Improving work and related methods, and enhancing their skills, including developing language and communication skills. –Can encourage volunteerism among members of voluntary boards and committees.

6. You want to or you have to undertake transnational projects and You want to be proactive! Be clear about why you are engaging in Transnational Projects

7. Chairman of Blackwater Resource Development, Christy Roche, signing the Villages of Tradition transnational cooperation agreement, July 2004 Tip Set up a Pre Development file Irish LAGS Identifed the overall transnational/inter-territorial budget and committed 10% to pre-development. This was brought to project evaluation and the board, as any other project would be. As a transnational project develops, the pre-development costs, which have been used to develop the project, can be isolated from the pre-development file and moved into the final LEADER project file.

9. Tip Get your transnational co- operation agreement (TCA) checked by a solicitor to ensure that your LAG is protected in the event of default by one of the other partners Tip The LEADER+ lead partner has final responsibility for implementing the project and is the channel for communication with national authorities and for monitoring and reporting on the project. Transnational Co-Operation Agreement

10. Role of National Support Unit. Tip The Irish LEADER Support Unit (ILSU) has a dedicated Partnership Executive ready to assist LAGs in developing project ideas and in partner searches Direct technical advice to LAGs Proceedural Financial Encouragement Case Studies Help in Partner search Organising introductory meetings Designing Projects for pick-up